In another episode of “We can't believe Windows 11 was released in that state,” we return to its volume control… and how complicated it is to make basic adjustments. Some options in the mixer were buried, and although many users manage with multiple clicks or by invoking the Game Bar, we always have the feeling that all this should be simpler. That's when EarTrumpet comes in, a volume control for Windows 11 and Windows 10 that completely replaces the official tools, enabling advanced controls and a level of customization we can only dream of in the traditional mixer.
If we have to talk about regressions, Windows 11 has a fairly long list. Installing Explorer Patcher helps us restore all the lost functions in the taskbar. We must add StartAllBack (or something similar) to remove the arbitrary restrictions of the new Start menu. Edge wants to be the browser by default for everything, forcing us to add a tool that takes care of redirecting links and widgets to our favorite browser.
And so we come to the volume control. Far from being a flashy option in Windows 10, Microsoft's magic only made it worse in Windows 11. Fortunately, the classic volume mixer didn't go anywhere, but if what you're looking for is a more complete and modern alternative, you'll find it in EarTrumpet, probably the best volume control for Windows 11 (and Windows 10) we've seen so far.
EarTrumpet: A Better Volume Control for Windows 11
The installation options for EarTrumpet are three: the Windows Store (the simplest), via Winget, or with the help of Chocolatey, which we've already talked about in the past. Once the process is finished, EarTrumpet will place an icon very similar to Windows' volume, but you can change it to its classic trumpet to avoid confusion.
What makes EarTrumpet different? To begin with, it lets us visualize the levels of each channel during playback, a simple but highly effective trick. Add to that keyboard shortcut controls for the mixer (which you can configure to your liking), EarTrumpet's floating window, and its options menu.
It also works as a floating window, easily accessible from the system tray.
However, the real star is the direct output control per application in the system tray. In other words, if your system has more than one audio solution (say, an integrated sound card and a USB one), you can assign different apps to each independently with just a couple of clicks.
To finish, EarTrumpet is compatible with dark mode, and includes a high-quality Spanish translation (it activated when it detected Windows language). I know many of our readers don't like using the official Microsoft Store, but I also know we all deserve a better volume control for Windows 11, and EarTrumpet is exactly that.
Official site: Click here.
